Abstract
Over the 15 years since the original description, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become one of the key diagnostic technologies in the ophthalmic subspecialty areas of retinal diseases and glaucoma. The reason for the widespread adoption of this technology originates from at least two properties of the OCT results: on the one hand, the results are accessible to the non-specialist where microscopic retinal abnormalities are grossly and easily noticeable; on the other hand, results are reproducible and exceedingly quantitative in the hands of the specialist. However, as in any other imaging technique in ophthalmology, some artifacts are expected to occur. Understanding of the basic principles of image acquisition and data processing as well as recognition of OCT limitations are crucial issues to using this equipment with cleverness. Herein, we took a brief look in the past of OCT and have explained the key basic physical principles of this imaging technology. In addition, each of the several steps encompassing a third generation OCT evaluation of retinal tissues has been addressed in details. A comprehensive explanation about next generation OCT systems has also been provided and, to conclude, we have commented on the future directions of this exceptional technique.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 325-353 |
Number of pages | 29 |
Journal | Progress in Retinal and Eye Research |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Artifacts
- Cross-sectional
- Fourier domain
- Glaucoma
- Interferometer
- Macula
- Macular map
- Measurement
- Nerve fiber layer
- Optic disc
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Photoreceptor
- Retinal boundary
- Retinal thickness
- Spectral
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems